BARCELONA COACH PEP Guardiola has confirmed he will take a year-long break at the end of the season.
The 41-year-old announced last month he will leave Barca in June after four successful years in charge of the club because of the exhausting nature of the job.
“I will rest for a year and then we will see,” he told reporters. “I do not have any plans, not even plans to coach again.
I will do something, but you will not be seeing me that much.”
Guardiola heaped praise on his assistant coach Tito Vilanova, who will replace him at the end of the season.
“It is very hard to say if we will work together in the future,” he said. “He gave everyone a lesson in bravery and courage when he decided to take over the team.
“I hope Tito will be here for a long time, that would be a sign that things had gone well.
“I learned that Tito would replace me the same day of the press conference in which I announced that I was leaving.”
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has cast doubt over David Villa’s chances of making the Spain squad for Euro 2012, but Guardiola suggested the striker could be fit for the showpiece.
“His recovery (from a broken leg) is going very well and according to schedule,” he said. “The doctors and himself set the possibility of playing at the Euros.
“It will also depend on del Bosque, he is the one who will decide.”
Guardiola commented on the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao, saying he anticipates a tough match against the Basque side.
“We will meet a very demanding Athletic,” he said. “They were the surprise package in Europe.
“They will be a very tough side to beat, even more so now, as they will try to bounce back from their Europa League disappointment.”
